Central Wyoming College
Central Wyoming College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Central Wyoming College at a Glance
Central Wyoming College is a public community college in Riverton, Wyoming. In addition to its main campus, the college provides online classes and has outreach centers in Jackson, Lander, Dubois, and the Wind River Indian Reservation.
1966
60 years old
2,688
2,688 undergrad
Identity
Is Central Wyoming College Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, Central Wyoming College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $34,402 — 36% below average — while paying $11,634/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 39% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 4 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Central Wyoming College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Central Wyoming College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #32 of 49 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Chipola College | 100 | $1,133 | $37,378 |
| #2 | North Florida College | 100 | $804 | $33,929 |
| #3 | Alpena Community College | 100 | $3,320 | $36,442 |
| #4 | Northern Marianas College | 100 | $2,789 | $27,836 |
| #5 | Haskell Indian Nations University | 90 | $3,134 | $37,043 |
| #6 | American Samoa Community College | 89 | $3,386 | $30,087 |
| #32 | Central Wyoming College | 29 | $11,634 | $34,402 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Central Wyoming College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 2 in WY.
Best Programs at Central Wyoming College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Central Wyoming College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $11,634/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in WY
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Riverton, WY
- Student Body
- 1,054 students
- Graduation Rate
- 39%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $11,634
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $34,402
- Median Student Debt
- $8,361